WALES midfielder Andy Johnson believes the fringe players who impressed against Croatia last month did enough to warrant a starting place in the Euro 2004 opener against Finland.

With Wales missing several star names, Johnson and other players on the periphery of Mark Hughes's squad - like Carl Robinson and Gareth Taylor - were handed their chance to shine in the 1-1 draw in Varazdin.

They all staked worthy claims and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Johnson, who won his eighth cap in Croatia, emerged with particular credit.

The Bristol-born midfielder believes they deserve to hold onto their place in Helsinki tomorrow, though he accepts the return of key players like Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Robbie Savage inevitably means one or two dropping back to the bench.

Should Bellamy not start against Finland, either Johnson or Robert Earnshaw would probably make up a midfield containing Giggs, Savage, Simon Davies and Mark Pembridge.

"You wouldn't think of leaving a world-class player like Ryan out of the side," said 28-year-old Johnson.

"And it would be unfair to say Mark shouldn't play A or B because you're talking about quality players who deserve to be in the side.

"However, the fact is those who came in against Croatia gave a very good account of themselves.

"You could say they did enough to stay in the side. Certainly, Carl and I would both love to play against Finland.

"It would be brilliant. It's a massive game and a massive competition.

"But the decision is down to the manager and the manager alone. He will pick the side that he believes will beat Finland."

Johnson, who made his international debut against Italy in 1998, was on the bench when Finland beat Wales 2-1 in the first match at the Millennium Stadium in March 2000.

And the former Norwich midfielder has identified the man who netted Finland's opening goal that day - the first to be scored at the new national stadium - as potentially the biggest threat in Helsinki tomorrow.

"I would pick out Jari Litmanen as possibly their key player," said Johnson.

"He is a terrific - we saw what he could do week in week out when he was in the Premiership with Liverpool.

"He's definitely one for us to be wary of, along with the likes of (Liverpool defender) Sami Hyypia and (Panathinaikos midfielder) Joonas Kolkka.

"Away to Finland is a tough start to the qualifying campaign. And it's going to get tougher as it goes on, with Italy coming up in October and then the long trip to Azerbaijan.

"But we're a lot stronger as a squad now. We're mentally prepared for the challenge ahead and everyone's mind is focused on getting to the European Championship finals in Portugal."

Johnson, who was at Carrow Road for five years before joining Nottingham Forest in 1997 and the Baggies in 2001, said he planned to enjoy his few days away from The Hawthorns.

He is in the middle of a contractual dispute with the Premiership new boys and said last week that he was prepared to drop down to the First Division if he did not receive the deal he was looking for.

"The situation has dragged on for longer than I had hoped, but I'm hopeful that something can be sorted shortly," said the midfielder.

"On the playing side, what I learn with Wales during international games like these I can take back to my club."